READING Hockey Club player-coach Andy Watts is to step down at the end of the season, writes Dave Wright.

Senior player Jonty Clarke is retiring with Rick Mantell likely to follow suit.

And Chris Davey is also giving up the team manager’s role.

All four revealed their intentions following the Blues’ 2-1 defeat at Wimbledon on Sunday.

It will mean the end of an era for the Sonning Lane club.

The three players have been involved for more than a decade, during which Reading enjoyed considerable success, winning domestic and European competitions.

Watts, who has also coached the side for the last three seasons, said: “I need a rest and feel this is the best time to do it.

“Quite a lot of my peer group have moved on and playing elsewhere, so I feel it’s the right time for me to have a bit of a break. I may continue to play, but I have got no firm plans at the moment.”

Watts, who is director of sport at Magdalen College School in Oxford, says his full-time job is “taking up more of my time as it’s becoming increasingly important.”

The 36-year-old Clarke said: “I have been involved with Reading for 18 years which is half of my lifetime and I think it’s time to take a complete rest.”

He is also looking to move back to Essex, having been brought up in Southend-on-Sea.

At the moment Mantell is a little reticent about confirming his retirement, but admits “I probably will.”

The defender, who has been with the club since 2003, commented: “I still enjoy playing, but I have lots to do with the kids and I’m getting busier and busier with work.

“I have had a good career, so it could be time to take a break.”

Watts is Reading’s all-time leading scorer with 137 goals, just two more than Mantell, while Clarke is third on the all-time list, being just three short of his century.

The player-coach has been sidelined recently with an injury, giving penalty-corner specialist Mantell time to overtake him.

Reading have three league games remaining, in addition to a cup semi-final date with Brooklands MU.

Davey, who has been involved with the club for 40 years, commented: “I feel it’s time for fresh blood to come in.

"With senior players already gone or going, we are rebuilding with a new squad and younger group, so it’s a good time for someone else to take over.”

Reading produced a decent performance against unbeaten league leaders Wimbledon on Sunday and were a little unlucky not to have come away with a point.

James Carson hit the crossbar before they fell behind to a Chris Gregg goal on the stroke of half-time.

Former Reading star Simon Mantell doubled the lead on 57 minutes, following up his brace in the champions’ 6-1 win at Sonning Lane early in the season.

Blues had chances to get back in the game, but it wasn’t until the 69th minute when Ben Boon halved their deficit.

Shortly afterwards, Boon broke through the middle, only to be denied by former Reading keeper James Bailey.

Blues goalie Tommy Alexander has been called up by Scotland – joining team-mate Tim Atkins in the squad – for the World League 2 in Belfast which starts this weekend.

The club also have James Carson and Jonny Gooch in the Wales squad, which means all four will miss Reading’s next two games.

The Blues host fourth-placed Hampstead & Westminster at Sonning Lane on Sunday (2.30pm).

Reading Women’s relegation from the Premier Division of the Investec League now looks inevitable following their 4-0 defeat at Holcombe last Saturday, all the goals coming between the 17th and 39th minutes.

The bottom club visit seventh-placed Canterbury on Saturday (4pm).